TAKING THE MICKEY
‘This is not Disneyland’, scream NC500 locals as they claim the route has changed tourism forever
People who live on the NC500 route spoke about the impact it has had on the area and their lives
NC500 residents fear the route has transformed tourism - for the worst.
The explosion in the popularity of the trail has led to more people flocking to the Highlands than ever before.
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But they reckon visitors have lost sight of the fact that it’s a real place where people live and work.
And instead they accused tourists of treating it like a theme park where they think they’re free to do as they please.
A local said: “The general feeling is that there has been a change in the type of tourist we see.
“People have always visited the Highlands, and that is absolutely brilliant. We want them to come here and we welcome them.
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“But in the past they used to spend a few days and would be respectful.
"They would do things like explore the area and get to know it and the people.
“Now it’s become this bucket list destination. A place people must visit and they have to check off their list.
“They see it as a kind of Disneyland theme park and forget that people live here.
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"They don’t accept that we shouldn’t have to deal with their bad behaviour.”
The North Coast 500 was launched in 2015 to boost tourism in the Highlands.
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Described as the “ultimate road trip” it begins and ends in Inverness and is now renowned across the globe.
The route’s website describes it as one of the world’s “most iconic” coastal touring routes.
Visitors are hopping in motorhomes and heading north to sample the “breathtaking beauty” they’ve been promised.
However, some are disappointed and find everything is not as it was billed.
One resident said: “I spoke to a German tourist who said they loved it but it wasn’t what they expected.
“There were a lot more people and cars than they thought there would be.
And that’s part of the problem. They are not heading into the wilderness.”
Unhappy locals told how all the extra traffic makes it almost impossible for them to get around on the packed roads.
Many of them spend the busy months rarely venturing far from their front doors.
A crew of rangers tasked with patrolling the route saw an increase in people pooing outside.
While residents have started swooping on campervan drivers they catch dumping their toilet waste.
One incident earlier in the year had them saying "here we go again".
Another massive issue is parking in cemeteries and graveyards, despite that being banned.
They see it as a kind of Disneyland theme park and forget that people live here.
NC500 local
Residents say they’ve spotted tourists having BBQs and hanging out their washing while funerals have been held.
All this is to avoid having to fork out for official camping sites and facilities for motorhomes.
A local said: “We have really reached our limit.
“People say they’ve spent £1400 renting a motorhome so they don’t think they should have to pay for accommodation or services.
“That is just not on and that is what we are fighting against. Tourists have to use the facilities that are available.”
It’s feared this summer will be a nightmare because the rangers were axed due to a lock of funding.
But Highland Council are advertising for someone to take on the job.
Read more on the Scottish Sun
A fed up resident said: “Something really needs to be done sooner rather than later. We can’t go on like this.
“Visitors are very welcome but they need to realise there are rules they need to abide by. This is our home.”